NW LGBT Senior Care Providers Network

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) seniors have unique needs and face unique challenges. A perceived lack of resources and understanding among Senior Care Providers can be very frustrating. In many cases forcing LGBT seniors to conceal who they are, often leading to a decrease in quality of life.

The Northwest LGBT Senior Care Providers Network is an informal network of senior care providers of all kinds working together to provide advocacy and quality of care for the LGBT seniors of Washington State.

We meet on a monthly basis and our meetings are open to any and all who share our goals. Please see our events calendar for the next scheduled meeting.

In 2001 a coalition of community organizers, non-profits and health care providers came together with a vision to create a multipurpose space focusing the housing needs of LGBT elders in the greater Seattle area. It was one largest projects of it’s time aimed at helping LGBT senior citizens thrive. However, due to unforeseen obstacles, the project was unable to gain enough leverage; leaving a void in the LGBT senior support realm. As a result, members decided to take a new approach and established the NWLGBT Care Providers Network.

The NWLGBT Senior Care Providers Network is based on the need to help educate care providers and health care professionals about the needs in the aging LGBT community. We serve as an informal network that is based on the collaboration between community organizations and businesses. Our members bring with them their expertise in fields that include but are not limited to:

Attorneys

Community Services & Senior Centers

Fiduciaries

Financial Planning

Government Agencies

Home Care Agencies

Home Health Agencies

Housing

Information Services

Insurance

Moving

Pharmacy

Our group meets on a monthly basis with guest speakers discussing a wide array of topics focusing on LGBT elders today and tomorrow.

Vision Statement

To provide education and support for the LGBT senior community when navigating through the health care continuum, while ensuring that dignity and individual choices are respected and honored.

Principles of Our Coalition

Educate – Provide education through action by being positive role models and contributing members of the community at large.

Support – Connecting LGBT seniors to the resources needed to make informed decisions.

Respect – Honor them as the unique individuals that they are while also respecting their family of choice.

Collaboration – Work with their family of choice and their support network to facilitate their ability to actively participate in the decision making.

Empowerment – Support their self actualization by reinforcing the belief that every human being has the inherent right to be whom and what they want to be.

Advocate – Under the umbrella of our coalition, we want to provide resources, community outreach and volunteer opportunities for our members.